Trevor S – Let’s get ready to start. Please come to order at 8:05 AM. Welcome to the first Sunday session we have had for a while. Let’s open with the ‘we’ version of the Serenity Prayer. Do you have any announcements, Jay?
Jay F – Welcome to the first Sunday morning we have had in about 8 years. Remember to turn in clickers at the Office so you don’t get charged. If you need to leave in the middle of the session, there is the proxy process. If you want to order a conference shirt, you can still get in your order this morning. Please do the evaluation on-line. Thanks.
Trevor S – Randy will read Reaching Out.
Randy M – Read Reaching Out.
Trevor S – There was an error last night and the 7th Tradition basket didn’t make it to everyone. It is up on the dais if you want to donate. Reminder to shut off your phones during session. Once roll call is done, you cannot proxy a vote. If you have to leave early, please do not claim your vote. It would be unfortunate if we could not do business because we lost quorum.
Nathan H – Do we have to state we have a proxy vote during role call?
Trevor S – No, just state how many votes you have. After we are done with roll call, if you have an item of new business, I would appreciate it if you could let me know ahead of time so I can plan the session.
– Roll Call –
Vote – 131, quorum is 87
Anne M – Parliamentary Inquiry – Last night we were in the middle of a motion. Do you still have the list from last night of people who wanted to speak to the motion?
Trevor S – I don’t have that list anymore, sorry. Let S&B come back up and get ready. Reminder, I do need in writing any intentions of 5th Concept Statements. Read amended motion.
*****(Carried over from Saturday night) Original Motion
a. Motion on page 42 of the World Service manual under WSC COMMITTEE OFFICERS DUTIES, QUALIFICATIONS & SELECTION
Every Committee should nominate and select its owntheir own officers each year at conference prior to presentingsubmitting its motion(s)their closing reports to the conference floorcommittee.
Amended Motion – (without the language being deleted/replaced)
“Every Committee should nominate and select their own officers each year at conference prior to submitting their closing reports to the conference committee to become effective after the gavel falls at end of session.”
Approved – Redacted Conference 2018 Day 5 Daily Minutes Page 1 of 28
Anne M – In favor of the motion. Concept 9 cannot replace this, so this is a good option. Jason L – Offer a friendly amendment to change the word ‘session’ to ‘Conference.’ Amended Amended Motion
“Every Committee should nominate and select their own officers each year at conference prior to submitting their closing reports to the conference committee to become effective after the gavel falls at end of Conference.”
Rodney D – We accept the friendly amendment.
Trevor S – Motion is so amended.
Susan B – Offer a friendly amendment.
Kevin M – Point of Order, no motion can be amended more than 3 times.
Trevor S – I was about to let her know that, thanks Kevin.
Henry A – Is that in our own guidelines? You can amend a motion any number of times.
Trevor S – There is nothing in the Manual. We have had this debate before, Henry. We do not agree on this issue.
Henry A – You cannot amend an amend, but a motion could be amended any number of times.
Trevor S – We will follow standing practice on this floor to avoid confusion. Seeing no more debate, please prepare to vote.
Clicker vote 01 – 100 for, 4 against, motion passed with substantial unanimity. *****
(remaining portion of S&B report carried over from Saturday)
- S&B 2018-6: To clarify voting at the Regional Caucus.
Submitted under SR 14 to clarify voting at the Regional Caucus Motion: to amend content pertinent to WSM P.33. Add the following words in bold where indicated as follows: ‘REGIONAL CAUCUS The Region may hold a Regional Caucus during the WS Convention or at other times necessary to conduct the business of the Region. The Caucus may determine the appropriate voting procedures. However, during the WSC, each Region shall hold at least one Regional Caucus. It shall be attended by all WSC Delegates, Alternate Delegates, Conference & Committee Officers, and Trustees within the Region. The first order of business is to establish voting qualifications. Those persons who have a vote at the WSC should make this determination. Participation from the floor at a Regional Caucus may be open to all members in attendance and as recognised by the Chairperson. It is suggested that, other than major matters of business as described in Standing Rule 13 (SR13) for the CA World Service conference, voting shall be open to all of the participants. Determination of which matters of business meet SR13 criteria should be made by the Chairperson and voting directed accordingly. Another order of business shall be the election of the Delegate to represent the Region in the Trustee Election Committee.’ The intention of this motion is to ensure that Concepts 1, 2 ,3, 4 and 9 are embedded in the Caucus structure as follows: Concept 1 – The members are invited and welcome to attend and participate at Regional Caucus thus informing the body of their views and opinions. Concept 2 – The
Approved – Redacted Conference 2018 Day 5 Daily Minutes Page 2 of 28
delegated authority to WS delegates and Conference Officers is not undermined Concept 3 – The right of decision for the Caucus to determine its voting procedures and for the Chairperson to determine which are major matters of business and voting procedures adjusted accordingly in line with Concept 2 Concept 4 – Voting rights are representative for those in attendance and are proportionate to the responsibility that each has in respect of each motion. Concept 9 – given that an order of business is the election of the delegate to represent the Region in TEC, it is critical that the voting procedure ensures an appropriate method for that election.
Furthermore when adhered to this will remove the opportunity for the tyranny of the majority or indeed minority to unduly influence outcomes by manipulating WSM content and guidance. Thank you for the consideration of this motion.
*****
Zachary A presented motion –
a. Motion on page 33 of the World Service Manual under Regional Caucus
Those persons who have a vote at the WSCregional service assembly should make this determination.
Seconded
Trevor S – Do you wish to speak to your motion?
Zachary A – No.
Trevor S – Is there any debate from the floor?
Jason L – What is this addressing?
Zachary A – The only voting members on the floor would be delegates, if we follow the regional assembly guidelines, this would allow alternate delegates, etc.
Henry A – I’ve never seen a reference to an ‘assembly’ before?
Rodney D – Those persons who had a vote at a regional assembly, this would give those same people a vote in a regional caucus. The first order of business is generally to determine who can vote, we just made this match what is listed for the regional assembly.
Trevor S – Any further debate?
Melissa L – I understand we have two different meetings, and assembly and a caucus? Doesn’t this try to change that?
Trevor S – Debate and questions can’t happen at the same time, please.
Lucas S – This is just to clarify the voting process, it is not a change from assembly to caucus. David C – What are you trying to achieve?
Zachary A – We are trying to better define who can determine who can vote in a caucus. In the assembly, Area chairs can vote, but in a caucus they can’t. This helps clarifies this.
Dawn M – I made the referral asking to clarify the voting process in the caucus because it is not clear in the Manual. We had an instance where a very large amount of time was consumed in a caucus just trying to determine who could vote in the caucus. That was why I made this referral. In favor of this motion.
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Rose J – I understand what you are trying to do, but I am against the motion. At a regional caucus, generally anyone who comes is allowed to vote, this blocks them from having a voice.
Kevin M – In a regional caucus, held away from the conference, it is not clear who has a vote at the conference, they have a list of who can vote in an assembly. This clarifies who gets to determine who can vote. By changing this to something the attendees are familiar with, it makes it clearer.
Jason L – In favor of the motion. It is much more sensible that someone who has a vote at the assembly would also have the ability to have a vote at the caucus. It doesn’t stop everyone from having a vote, it just clarifies who can make this decision at the caucus. This just clarifies and brings the language in line with other places in the manual.
Trevor S – Seeing no further debate, prepare to vote.
Clicker vote 02 – 115 for, 6 against, motion passed with substantial unanimity.
*****
- S&B 2018-12: Please consider the change in Standing Rule 6 to clarify the meaning of the Rule.
6. Only elected Delegates or Alternates registered with the World Service Office 30 days prior to the Conference will be certified as a Conference Delegate or Alternate. Reasonable exceptions to the above may be made, for good cause, by the Conference Chairperson.
6. All members elected; Delegates, Alternates carrying a vote, WSBT and WSOB members, Conference Committee Chairs, must be registered with the World Service Office 30 days prior to the start of the Conference in order to be granted a vote(s). Reasonable exceptions to the above may be made, for good cause, by the Conference Chairperson.
*****
Nathan B –
a. Motion to change Standing Rule 6 on page 46 of the World Service Manual
- Only elected Delegates or Alternates All Designated Voting Members must be registered with the World Service Office 30 days prior to theeach Conference willto be certified as a Conference Delegate or Alternatevoting member. Reasonable exceptions to the above may be made, for good cause, by the Conference Chairperson.
Seconded.
Trevor S – Does the committee wish to speak to the motion? Nathan B – Yes.
Rodney D – Last year, we changed the timeframe when people had to register, but it didn’t specifically state trustees, non-delegate chairs, etc, had to also adhere to the same timeframe to register.
Trevor S – This is a change to a Standing Rule, it needs 2/3rd majority to pass.
Clicker Vote 03 – 120 for, 1 against, passed with substantial unanimity.
Approved – Redacted Conference 2018 Day 5 Daily Minutes Page 4 of 28
*****
- S&B 2017-18: Create a “mini-WSM” suitable for people attempting to set up CA meetings or a new area service structure that is easier to translate into new languages.
Definitions of meetings types and officers, commitments, area structure and servants and relationship to WS and the WSO are important. The Traditions and the Definition of the Group should be there.
But maybe not the composition of the Trustee Board, or the Standing Rules or the Conference Charter or any of those things we didn’t care about when we were now.
*****
Michael C –
a. Motion to approve the concept of a New Area Service Manual with the following items included.
1. TABLE OF CONTENTS page 1
2. ACRONYMS USED IN THE WORLD SERVICE MANUAL page 4
3. A DEFINITION OF “COCAINE ANONYMOUS” page 5
4. THE TWELVE STEPS OF COCAINE ANONYMOUS* page 6
5. THE TWELVE TRADITIONS OF COCAINE ANONYMOUS* page 7
6. THE TWELVE CONCEPTS* page 8
7. THE IMPORTANCE OF “ANONYMITY” page 10
8. THE STRUCTURE OF COCAINE ANONYMOUS page 11
9. STATEMENT OF POLICY page 13
10. DEFINITION OF A COCAINE ANONYMOUS “GROUP” page 16
11. THE C.A. GROUP page 16
12. MEETING/GROUP TYPES: page 17
13. MEETING/GROUP STYLES: page 17
14. GROUP SERVANTS page 18-19
15. DESCRIPTION OF A DISTRICT AND DISTRICT SERVICE COMMITTEE DISTRICT page 20-23
16. DESCRIPTION OF AN AREA AND AREA SERVICE COMMITTEE page 25-27
17. WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE DELEGATE pages 29-30
18. COCAINE ANONYMOUS REGIONS pages 31-33
19. APPENDIX WSC APPROVED LITERATURE, BOOKS, AND GUIDELINES pages 84 -85
20. ADVISORY OPINIONS page 85
Pages listed are 2018 WSM pages.
Approved – Redacted Conference 2018 Day 5 Daily Minutes Page 5 of 28
*per AA Twelve Steps, Traditions and Concepts can be reprinted without the reprint of AA’s if space is a concern.
Seconded
Trevor S – Any debate from committee?
Michael C – No.
Jason L – Against this motion. This appears to be a duplication of the World Service Manual. It appears very similar. Why would someone at an Area level not use the World Service Manual. Everyone can read this. I have struggled to get the World Service manual translated into non-English languages. This would just be another document that won’t get translated. The World Service Manual is the accumulation of all the Conferences and the group conscious from the Conference. Monitoring this new document to stay in line with the World Service Manual becomes a new challenge, becomes a change-tracking nightmare.
Natalie L – Are you going to clarify in the concept for this manual that the World Service Manual exists?
Michael C – This is just a concept, but that could be put in there.
Justin C – Do you have an estimated page count?
Michael C – Yes, we estimate 85 pages.
Rodney D – No, it will be approximately 30 pages.
Bart van der P – In favor, thanks for making a start. Are you making a concept of each section yet? Have you asked non-English speaking Areas to help with this?
Carla S – I can’t figure out what you are doing. This appears to be a new document with a chunk of the World Service Manual to help start an Area, is that correct?
Michael C – Referring back to the original referral, which requested a smaller document to help set up new Areas and will be easier to translate into non-English languages. This would be a shorter document to help new to service members create an Area.
Justine K– Against the motion, this is Area business. This will complicate the translation process of the World Service Manual.
Kevin M – In favor of the motion. As someone who has started a new Area, I know that people in a new Area have no idea what is going on and the World Service Manual is overwhelming. The intention is not to create new pages, it is just to make a shorter document that isn’t so overwhelming. The price of translating the World Service Manual is roughly $6,000 per language. This document would be about half the cost for translation. It doesn’t make sense to translate information a new Area doesn’t really need, like trustee elections, conference charter, etc. When you set up an Area, you don’t need that info. Money for translation of the World Service Manual might not happen, but a lower amount for a smaller document might happen. This is intended to help get this information translated faster. I am surprised that a member who has continually asked for translation is against this. We are trying to get something going and a shorter document would assist with that.
Approved – Redacted Conference 2018 Day 5 Daily Minutes Page 6 of 28
Paul S – In favor, agree with Kevin. If we want C.A. to grow, we need to make it as easy as possible. Many of the current Areas are not knowledgeable of the World Service Manual. This smaller document could help with that too.
Jeanette J – Against the motion. I like the concept, but I think there was mis-information provided. The translation policy asks for the Area to translate the document, then the WSO pays for proofing the translation. To take the World Service Manual and dis-assemble it, I’m against that. There are parts that cannot be removed from the Manual. I would love to see the World Service Manual made into a booklet for ease of use. This motion needs more development.
Natalie L – In favor of the concept, this would be a good service for Areas that get overwhelmed with the World Service Manual and easier to translate.
Tom P – Read a meditation referring to the least amount of organization. Any two people who meet can call themselves a group. To start an Area, which is formed to serve the groups which carry out the primary purpose. We have a document that gives that info on how to do that. If groups get to a point that they need to create an Area, it will expand the structure but not help with the primary purpose. I don’t think we need to create a new document. We need something even simpler than this. 30 pages is not simple. An illustrated guide is something that would be simple.
Maya B – Linda can better explain why it is so difficult to translate the World Service Manual. I am in favor of this concept. The reason it is so hard to translate the World Service Manual is because of all the changes that happen each year. The list of items to be included in this concept, these are things that seldom change. Translation of updates would need to happen less frequently, which decreases costs for translation proofs. This give people a smaller easier to handle document as well.
Jackie R – Against the motion, I have concerns that we would lose some of the importance of the info present in the Conference. People need all this information and some really want all this information. Cost, if we are always worried about saving money, we can hurt the whole of C.A.
Bart van der P– Thank you for bringing this concept. Will you be making a concept for each chapter?
Rodney D – Are you asking if we are coming back with a concept for each chapter? Bart van der P – Yes
Rodney D – We are not going to write new material, we are just going to be taking pieces from the Manual to create the chapters.
Stuart J – Strongly against, the World Service Manual it is more than what is just inside, it is a collective document of the fellowship, it is established as it stands. I understand the motive for the concept, but I don’t agree with it.
Henry A – Against the motion. I didn’t see anything that specifies this is strictly to assist with translations. But creating this, it will create problems, I think. Things that come down from this floor, are very much looked at as the way things must be. This will cause confusion.
Approved – Redacted Conference 2018 Day 5 Daily Minutes Page 7 of 28
Johan T – I made this referral and am in favor of it. It is not intended to do something with the World Service Manual, it is to extract part of the World Service Manual so Areas can get something in their own language. I come from a non-English speaking Area and we would greatly benefit from this.
Jon H – In favor of the motion, this concept to create a condensed version of the World Service Manual. We selected portions from the World Service Manual that don’t change every year. This would stay current a lot longer and be less costly to translate. The items in the table of content don’t change that much.
Maria K – Against the motion, I think we are trying to re-invent something that already exists. The motion speaks to making a manual to start an Area, not translation. Not sure why the translation issue is even part of the debate. The World Service Manual has a table of content and makes it easy to find the information needed.
*****
Lucas S – Call the question
Seconded
Trevor S – Prepare to vote to call the question.
Clicker Vote 04 – 107 for, 8 against, motion to Call the Question passes.
Trevor S – Prepare to vote on the original motion.
Clicker Vote 05 – 48 for, 73 against, motion fails.
*****
- S&B 2018-4: World PI would like to create a new service position to be included in the World Service Manual.
*****
Jean Pierre S presents motion –
a. Motion to create a new service position of Group PI Liaison to be included in the World Service manual.
GROUP PI LIAISON
- Suggested sobriety time: 6 months continuous sobriety
- Term: 6 months
- The purpose of the Group PI Liaison is to attend their local PI committee meeting, collect CA literature / posters and distribute these locally.
- The Group PI Liaison is the one who will carry the information between their group and their local PI committee.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Approved – Redacted Conference 2018 Day 5 Daily Minutes Page 8 of 28
- Familiarize yourself with PI guidelines and C.A.’s 12 traditions
- Act as a liaison between your group and your local PI committee
- Actively support your group by placing literature / posters in your meeting venue / local area on regular basis
- Keep group members informed of upcoming PI activities and opportunities for service.
Seconded.
Trevor S – Any debate?
Ray M – Refer to PI committee.
Stuart J – I speak in favor, it is purely to allow this position to be entered into the WSCPI manual.
Anne M – Would the S&B committee take a Friendly Amendment to include the page number where this motion would go?
Robert D – Yes. It would be inserted at page 19.
Anne M – Thank you.
Trevor S – Any objection? None, Amended.
Susan B – Point of Information, is it possible to limit debate and conduct this motion with unanimous consent?
Trevor S – Unfortunately with a debate, I cannot allow that.
Nathan B – When this was originally brought up, it was stated that there was a philosophical difference, can you give me clarity?
Robert D – The first time, we did not want to do it by housekeeping, we are beginning to place in the autonomous groups a position that has never existed before. We, before, have been very nonspecific. We as a committee are neither for or opposed on this matter, we wanted the floor to choose.
*****
Danny H – Call the question.
Seconded.
Trevor S – There has been no formal debate, but if the floor concedes, we will allow it.
Clicker Vote 06 – 95 for, 28 against, which is 77%, the motion to call the question passes.
Trevor S – Restates amended motion.
a. Motion to create a new service position of Group PI Liaison to be included in the World Service manual, page 19.
GROUP PI LIAISON
- Suggested sobriety time: 6 months continuous sobriety
- Term: 6 months
Approved – Redacted Conference 2018 Day 5 Daily Minutes Page 9 of 28
- The purpose of the Group PI Liaison is to attend their local PI committee meeting, collect CA literature / posters and distribute these locally.
- The Group PI Liaison is the one who will carry the information between their group and their local PI committee.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Familiarize yourself with PI guidelines and C.A.’s 12 traditions
- Act as a liaison between your group and your local PI committee
- Actively support your group by placing literature / posters in your meeting venue / local area on regular basis
- Keep group members informed of upcoming PI activities and opportunities for service.
Clicker Vote 07 – for 106 // 14 against. Passed.
*****
Dawn M – 5th Concept Statement – I want to speak against, in the first instance I don’t feel it was sufficiently debated, it should be for the group to deem necessary. The business descriptions hold with it a one-year commitment, usually this is a six month commitment, there were a variety of reasons I need those commitments explained and verified, and voted against.
Kevin M – 5th concept statement – committee chair made a statement why this was not just housekeeping, insightful point. All of a sudden, we are having service structures inserting themselves into the group. This is an act of governance. By telling the group what positions they must have to assist the WSPI. We are starting to govern, and tell the groups what they need to do to serve us. I cannot make a motion to reconsider, because I voted against. This at least needs some debate. I thought it was cut off prematurely, as did the chair. The absolutely spot on statement by the Committee Chair before it was cut off, changed my mind.
Rose J – Parliamentary Inquiry – this has been passed, and what I want to know is why are we beating a dead horse? We do not have to use it, it had already been passed in PI.
Lucas S – I believe the 5th concept statement is to have heard the minority opinion and it was not heard in that debate.
Nathan B – Kevin said it for me.
*****
Henry A – I voted on the prevailing side, I would like to motion to reconsider.
Seconded.
Trevor S – There is confirmation that the seconder has also voted on the prevailing side. I will do my best to keep the conversation on the reconsidering side.
Henry A – As some old timers have pointed it out, things that have come from this floor are taken as rules. We should take that seriously.
Carla S – I speak for motion to reconsider, I would like to hear more debate. Seemed originally that it was an open and shut topic, I was still trying to figure it out.
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Danny H – I am speaking against, for a body so interested in time frame I do not understand, but I would be swayed if explained as to why this is so important to discuss.
Michael C – I speak against the motion to reconsider. I believe having a position entailed at group level is always a benefit to CA.
Jeanette J – I speak in favor to reconsider, I do not think there was enough time for a debate. There is a distinct difference between the World Service PI Handbook and the World Service Manual. Our members should weigh in and get answers before making opinions.
Nathan B – Call the question.
Clicker Vote 08 for 86 // 10 against. Motion to call the question passes
*****
Motion to Reconsider the previously passed motion
a. Motion to create a new service position of Group PI Liaison to be included in the World Service manual, page 19. . . .
Clicker vote 09 – for 57 – 57 against. tie.
Trevor S – Per guidelines, the Conference Chair may vote in the case of making or breaking a tie. I would’ve preferred to make a tie, to be quite honest. I am going to call a 10-minute recess.
Break until 09:54am.
Trevor S – Please take your seats. The floor will come to order.
Trevor S – It is the decision of the Conference Chair – that due to the fact that all things our guidelines infer is that the group does to choose their representation. I am choosing to deny this motion.
Motion Fails.
*****
REFERRALS OR ITEMS TABLED UNTIL NEXT YEAR; AND ITEMS THE COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE WORKING ON THROUGH THE YEAR
- S&B 2017-15: Article 10 of the Conference Charter includes: “But no change in Article 10 of the Charter or in the Twelve Traditions of C.A., or in the Twelve Steps of C.A. may be made with less than the written consent of three-quarters of the C.A. Groups.” Since the process for contacting and obtaining responses from the C.A. Groups is not defined, please provide a process for meeting this requirement.
a. We elect to hold this in committee. We have been working on this all year and, while we have made significant progress, it is not yet complete and ready to share with the Conference. This is a complex process and it is imperative that we get it right.
Approved – Redacted Conference 2018 Day 5 Daily Minutes Page 11 of 28
- S&B 2017-1: On page 30 of the WSM item 1. starting at If an area has more than 75 meetings per week of its groups (excluding H&I), then that Area will be entitled to one additional vote for every fifty (50) meetings per week of its groups (or portion thereof). If an area has any questions concerning the number of votes to which it is entitled, that Area should contact its Regional Trustee or the WSO.
I would like to make it completely clear that meetings which meet more than one time per week are to be counted individually and not as one. The current language as written can be confusing and lead to miscounted meeting totals for Areas.
a. We elect to hold this in committee. We feel it is important to define “group” and “meeting” within the WSM and will be working on this throughout the year in order to clarify the two terms within the manual.
- S&B 2017-17: After reading the response to a previous referral (S&B 2016 – 18), I am not in agreement with the response and would like the committee to re-look at this. I do not believe this is a balanced representation of the world-wide fellowship and takes into account the growth in particular Area’s.
When a new Area is created, the Area is automatically given 3 Delegates and 1 Alternate Delegate. This is regardless of the size of the Area.
This seems disproportionate and could create a bias in certain Area’s. It could also prove more costly to Cocaine Anonymous as a whole and not represent the Area’s in growth. Would it not be more fair and cost effective to have the number of Delegates based on the size of the Area?
Motion: I propose that the committee reconsiders the number of delegates per Area based on the number of meetings as stated in the WSM.
a. We elect to hold this in committee in order to do more research into the effects this change would have on the fellowship.
- S&B 2018-7: MOTION TO AMEND THE ORGANIGRAM ON PG 12 of WSM.
In the interest of transparency aiding clear understanding, I would ask you to consider under SR14 a reorganization of the organigram on pg 12 of the WSM to include the CAWSO Board and Directorships detailed on pages 61-61 of the WSM.
I believe this change; which would provide clear identification of WSOB committees and Directorships (including Directors at Large) sits happily within concept 1, 3 and 9.
a. We elect to hold this in committee in order to revise the organigram to accurately reflect the current service structure.
Approved – Redacted Conference 2018 Day 5 Daily Minutes Page 12 of 28
5. S&B 2018-10: Add a new standing rule:
“No material may be submitted for SR14 priority except by vote of a Conference Committee.”
========
This is to prevent the “SR14” process from being used to bypass SR13.
a. We elect to hold in committee in order to submit an SR14 to add this new standing rule.
6. S&B 2018-13: With regard to Referral S&B 2017-15 please consider the following:
- Does the existing language in the Charter set a threshold of 3/4 of the C.A. Groups known to exist, or only those Groups responding? Other thresholds in the WSM are explicit, as in further down in section 4 (“a three-quarters vote of all the voting Conference members registered and present”) and the TEC process (“Abstentions will not be considered a vote, and the election will be affirmed by two-thirds of the voting members”). For a decision of this magnitude, I believe the language should be construed literally to mean three-quarters of *the* C.A. groups, not just those voting.
- If you agree that the threshold should be 3/4 of all C.A. Groups, how is that total number to be determined? Will the count be based on meeting directories, Regional Trustee reports, or some other method? As of what date will the number of groups be determined–the close of the Conference where the motion is approved, the date the ballots are mailed, the deadline for them to be returned, or somewhere in between? The size of some Areas may be changing by one or more Groups each month, which is the rate of growth we’re experiencing here in Washington State.
- Is it appropriate to place the burden for distributing and returning ballots on the Delegates and/or the Districts? Can exceptions be made for Groups that are unable to attend their Area meeting due to geographic or other challenges (for example, the Spokane Group in Washington State), so that they can obtain the ballot online, print it out and mail it directly to the WSO? Can ballots be returned electronically to save postage, particularly from Areas outside the U.S.?
- Would it be appropriate to have the Office mail a brief notice of the pending vote (perhaps a postcard, to reduce cost, or even an e-mail) to each Group registered with the WSO to help make sure the fellowship is adequately informed?
- Will the ballots be verified by the World Service Office, either in their entirety or as random spot-checks? This could also be done by the Regional Trustees.
a. We elect to hold this in committee for further review throughout the year.
Approved – Redacted Conference 2018 Day 5 Daily Minutes Page 13 of 28
7. S&B 2018-14: On page 12 of the WSM, to rename one of the C.A. Group boxes at the top of the chart to C.A. Online Groups.
Many thanks for your consideration.
a. We elect to hold this in committee in order to revise the organigram to accurately reflect the current service structure.
8. S&B 2018-15: Please consider clarifying the Delegate responsibilities to indicate whether materials from the Delegate mailings, in particular SR 14 items, are to be shared with the Area for feedback. If so, please provide whatever guidance you believe is appropriate regarding the timetable for and manner of distribution. The current language seems oriented toward post-Conference reporting, but it seems equally important that Area members be informed in advance of anticipated Conference business, particularly materials subject to SR 14. Thank you.
a. We elect to hold this in committee for further consideration.
REFERRALS OR ITEMS REFERRED TO OTHER COMMITTEES; WORLD SERVICE OFFICE, OR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
1. S&B 2018-9: Online meetings began in 1997 in response to requests from suffering addicts. The Online Service Area was formed and ratified by this conference in 2000 to continue carrying the C.A. message of recovery to those who do not have access to face-2-face meetings. We are a touchstone to C.A. for the homebound, disabled (many meeting locations do not have wheelchair access), those traveling for business, recovering from surgery, and a dedicated group that just love our Fellowship and participating in their recovery.
The OSA attracts many newcomers and provides help and hope to those who are afraid to attend face-2-face meetings. Online support has given them the opportunity to feel safe in embracing C.A. as a way of life. The Online Service Area is as much a part of the lifeblood of C.A. as H&I.
The challenges we face are many as we are spread out all over the globe. One of the biggest challenges we have is the support and recognition of C.A. as a whole!
It is news to many of our members that C.A. even has online meetings. By example I refer to the following:
- Yes, You Can Start a C.A. Meeting pamphlet – No mention of online meetings.
- World Service Manual – no mention of online C.A. meetings
- Public Information – Repeated attempts to coordinate outreach have been to no avail
Approved – Redacted Conference 2018 Day 5 Daily Minutes Page 14 of 28
a. We referred this to the Literature, Chips and Formats committee.
REFERRALS THAT DID NOT RESULT IN MOTIONS
1. S&B 2017-12: To remove the 12 Steps, 12 Traditions, and 12 Concepts of Alcoholics Anonymous below the
12 Steps, 12 Traditions, and 12 Concepts of Cocaine Anonymous. I believe the footnote to where they originated is sufficient.
a. At this time, we take no action. Alcoholics Anonymous has requested we include the 12 steps, 12 traditions and 12 concepts where possible, except where formatting issues do not allow the space. Out of respect for AA, we elect to include the 12 steps, 12 traditions and 12 concepts wherever possible.
2. S&B 2018-3: World PI would like to change the statement of purpose verbiage in the WSM so that it matches the statement in the PI manual. Here is the language:
In all public relations, C.A.’s sole objective is to help the still-suffering addict. Always mindful of the importance of personal anonymity, we believe this can be done by making known to the addict, and to those who may be interested in their problem, our own experience as individuals and as a Fellowship in learning to live without cocaine and all other mind-altering substances.
We believe that our experience should be made available freely to all who express sincere interest. We believe further that all efforts in this field should always reflect our gratitude for the gift of sobriety and our awareness that many outside C.A. are equally concerned with the serious problem of addiction.
The purpose of the Public Information Committee is to carry the message of Cocaine Anonymous to the still-suffering addict. We achieve this by making our presence known to the individuals, community groups and interested parties affected by drug addiction. We also have the task of keeping our own Fellowship members informed and up-to-date on changes with respect to Cocaine Anonymous.
The Public Information Conference Committee develops, initiates, and plans the means of communication to the public, which is presented to the Conference for Fellowship approval.
a. We elect to take no action until the PI Committee receives approval for the new statement of purpose in their manual.
3. S&B 2018-5: In the interest of Concept 9 I propose the following referral submitted under SR14 re ‘Notice of Vacancies in WSOB’ to Structure & Bylaws WS Conference Committee.
Approved – Redacted Conference 2018 Day 5 Daily Minutes Page 15 of 28
Motion: that at all times when there exists vacancies for Directors, in any capacity, on the CAWSO Board, a one page flyer is distributed with each quarterly delegate mailing and also displayed prominently on the ca.org website. The flyer should detail:
- Number of Director vacancies
- Description of each vacant position
- Information regarding WSM location of qualifications and responsibilities of CAWSO Board members
- Length of term and qualifications
- Information how, where and when to submit expressions of interest, resumes and other documentation
a. We elect to take no action. We feel this would result in micromanagement of the WSOB. It is the delegate responsibility to pass on notice of vacancies to the fellowship.
4. S&B 2018-8: Proposal for the creation of a new Conference Committee –
Long Term Planning and International Development
Discussion: This proposed committee has been discussed for many years now as a logical expansion of the Trustee’s similar committees. There currently is a Long Term Planning meeting at the CAWS Conventions each year and there was a Long Term Planning meeting at the recent European Regional Convention in Birmingham UK in April, 2018. There is a strong sincere interest in the future of our fellowship and this Committee would be intended to serve as a resource of the requisite planning to identify future goals both in the US and Internationally and then to help facilitate, with the help, planning and support of the WSBT and the WSOB.
Motion: to create a new Conference Committee named Long Term Planning and International Development, with the following committee description, to be created effective at the close of the 2018 World Service Conference:
The purpose of the Long-Term Planning and International Development Committee is to study of the long-term needs and goals of the CA fellowship throughout the world.
The responsibilities of the Committee shall be to:
- Develop an analysis of long-term fellowship needs, goals and structure.
- Recommend long-term goals and strategies to the Conference, the WSBT and to the WSOB, as appropriate.
- Evaluate the long-term effectiveness of the many programs of the fellowship.
Approved – Redacted Conference 2018 Day 5 Daily Minutes Page 16 of 28
d. Work to create and then update, as appropriate, a comprehensive long-term plan and present a report to the Conference for adoption. Any such plan shall be based upon input from the fellowship at large, from current Conference delegates, the WSBT, the WSOB and past trusted servants of the Conference.
Note: the passage of this Motion would cause amendment to the chart on page 12 of the WSM, the list on page 38 of the WSM and also in the Conference Committee Guidelines for meeting space allocations.
a. We elect to take no action. At this time, the WSBT has developed a new system for dealing with Long Term Planning and International Development. We base this decision on Concepts 6, 8 and 11.
5. S&B 2018-11: Please can verbiage be added to Statement of Policy p13/14 affording guidance to our members around creative license when designing flyers? I make this referral in the interest of avoiding copyright infringement or indeed offence to other fellowships.
For example, I have recently seen flyers for CA events that have been designed with AA 12 & 12 or Big Book backgrounds.
Or of course the eternal use of the Coca-Cola logo to be presented as the word ‘cocaine’…….
a. We elect to take no action. It is not our judiciary responsibility to protect the trademark rights of other entities. Instead, we as trusted servants have a responsibility to inform our fellowship that using potentially trademark-infringing designs could lead to a lawsuit and advise them not to continue that practice.
6. S&B 2018-16: Create WSC Helpline Committee in order to maintain an active and effective
Purpose & Duties:
- Ensure that the toll-free number listed on CAWS materials is active
- Maintains current accurate directory through maintaining relationship with area committee chairs that oversee their local hotlines.
- Explore possibility of having a member of CA answer each call versus a directory only or answering service
- Provide all Helpline Committee Volunteers w/ Monthly updated document of local hotline and website Information
- Offer guidance on establishing/ organizing/ maintain hotlines in local areas
- Produce and distribute suggested scripts for answering hotlines/helplines
NOTE, THERE WERE TWO ATTACHMENTS WITH THIS REFERRAL WHICH WERE FORWARDED TO S&B
Approved – Redacted Conference 2018 Day 5 Daily Minutes Page 17 of 28
a. We take no action because this referral was withdrawn by the referral maker.
7. S&B 2018-17: I would to see the “big book” to be conference approved literature. .
a. We take no action. Cocaine Anonymous cannot approve the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous because we do not own it and cannot edit or change it. Page 85 of the WSM, it is the Advisory Opinion that states, “August 20, 1989: “THE BOOKS ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS AND TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS ARE TWO OF OUR MOST VALUABLE TOOLS OF RECOVERY AND AS SUCH, IT IS THE OPINION OF COCAINE ANONYMOUS THAT MEETINGS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO HAVE THESE BOOKS AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT MEMBERS IN THEIR RECOVERY.”
| NEW COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AS OF THIS CONFERENCE | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Clayton P | Chairman | Clayboy7447@aol.com | 2163224316 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Taylor F | Vice-Chair | taylorthedad@gmail.com | 2064348937 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Kevin M | WSOT | wsot@ca.org | 3106543724 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Kerry W | SWRT | swrt@ca.org | 7137259516 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Randy M | WSOB | wsochair@ca.org | 7147218014 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Zach A | Co-Secretary | Zachalby93@gmail.com | 5128500132 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Katie B | Co-Secretary | katiebanovich@gmail.com | 4802397305 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ernest M | Member | Trudge2@att.net | 2096017034 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rodney D | Member | rdavisrecoverystuff@gmail.com | 8163490351 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Casey S | Member | Cschultz691@gamil.com | 2132596595 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Maxine M | Member | Jmaxine.mcintosh501@gmail.com | 5017793748 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Jean Pierre S | Member | Jpszajniuk_@yahoo.com | +41 07716998883 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tom W | Member | Tw5715@gmail.com | 4802097015 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Nathan B | Member | Nathan.black.206@gmail.com | 4259483855 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Lucas S | Member | Sabaca.wsd2@gmail.com | 4038370901 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Joetta K | Member | jkarer@aol.com | 9512518897 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Billy L | Member | Bill.lacour@sbcglobal.net | 7132048494 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ray M | Member | montgomeryrcm@yahoo.com | 4028135949 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Michael C | Member | thorent@hotmail.com | 7788866019 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Deloris B | Member | Delorisbryant58@yahoo.com | 9096401799 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Duane M | Member | Duanemiller59@yahoo.com | 9518307854 | ||||||||||||||||||
Approved – Redacted Conference 2018 Day 5 Daily Minutes Page 18 of 28
Keith M Member zenlikepeace@gmail.com +31 (0) 643470182
CLOSING COMMENTS
Thank you so much for sharing your group conscience and comments with S & B committee. I have been so moved to have been a part of this wonderful committee. Words cannot describe what I have experienced and how I have grown. I am now going to shut up before I break into tears,
Rodney D – it is not our job to overrule other committees group consciousness, it is for us not a win/lose proposition, it is great to bring it to the floor.
With much love,
Rodney D
Trevor S – Any questions for S&B? Seeing none, join me in thanking the committee.
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Approved – Redacted Conference 2018 Day 5 Daily Minutes Page 19 of 28